Uplink Resource Timing Alignment for PSFCH-Based Channel Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inconsistent understandings of uplink channel resources between terminals and control nodes due to differing sidelink and Uu timings and subcarrier spacings, leading to ambiguity in the location of sidelink transmission resources and PSFCH, PUCCH, or PUSCH resources.

Innovation Solution

A method to determine a target uplink channel resource by aligning the understanding between terminals and control nodes using time domain locations based on time intervals and time domain locations of PSFCH, considering sidelink and Uu timings, subcarrier spacings, and timing offsets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sidelink timing and Uu timing are used independently for resource determination, then timing flexibility and adaptability are improved, but resource location consistency and reliability deteriorate due to misalignment between terminal and control node understandings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming flexibilityVSAvoidresource location consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a timing offset parameter as an intermediary element that mediates between sidelink timing and Uu timing. This offset acts as a bridge to reconcile the timing differences, allowing the terminal to translate between the two timing systems and ensure that resource locations determined by the terminal match those understood by the control node, thus maintaining reliability while preserving timing flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter by introducing a timing offset that adjusts the relationship between sidelink timing and Uu timing. By modifying this parameter, the system can account for timing differences without changing the fundamental independence of the two timing systems, thereby maintaining adaptability while achieving consistency in resource location determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If different subcarrier spacings are used for sidelink and Uu, then system adaptability and service diversity are improved, but timing precision and resource determination accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice diversityVSAvoidtiming precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the timing precision issue by introducing an additional dimensional parameter - the timing offset - that operates alongside the subcarrier spacing differences. This extra dimension allows the system to compensate for timing inaccuracies caused by different subcarrier spacings without requiring the spacings themselves to be changed, thus preserving service diversity while improving timing precision through the offset adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If timing offset compensation is implemented, then resource determination accuracy is improved, but system complexity and calculation overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the timing offset value through straightforward comparisons of timing relationships. Rather than implementing complex real-time compensation mechanisms, the system calculates the offset in advance based on simple timing comparisons, thereby achieving accurate resource determination while minimizing system complexity and avoiding the need for elaborate compensation algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4092942B1Resource determination method and communication device
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4092942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4092942B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4092942B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a resource determining method and a communications device. The method includes: determining a time domain resource of a target uplink channel based on a time interval y2 and a first time domain location of a physical sidelink feedback channel PSFCH, or based on the time interval y2 and a second time domain location of the PSFCH, where the time interval y2 is a time interval between the PSFCH and the target uplink channel.